So far...

::....SO GOOD!!!....::

Well, here it is 8:00pm Christmas night and i'm actually doing a lot better than I thought. I'm spending my first Christmas away from home. I must admit... I thought I wasn't going to make it. But thanks to the best boyfriend in the WORLD and his welcoming family, I almost feel like I'm at home! ;)... Let me start with Christmas Eve...

On Christmas Eve, I went with them to a restaurant by TSU called The Garden Cafe where I had the best omelette of my life!!! I really enjoyed myself. I choked up a little because his family is sooo much like mine. Time spent with them reminded me of home wayyyy more than I anticipated thinking about it. At this point, I knew I was gonna be one depressed MUG on Christmas. His family was very sweet. They did everything they could to make me feel comfortable. After spending some more time with Jeremy at his uncle's house...I was off to work! My shift wasn't bad at all. Not as busy as I thought it would be... I actually did my hair and watched a Christmas movie while I monitored the phone. lol

::....Ok... back to today....::

This morning I received a million phone calls from my mom, my sisters, grandparents, cousins... pretty much everybody wishing me a Merry Christmas and telling me how much they missed and wished I were there! I actually made it through every call without crying. I couldn't believe it. My sis, Kennedi, was the first to call at 5AM... telling me to wake up...as if I were home. lol She wakes up early every Christmas!!! She's a lot like I was on Christmas... Just so freakin' anxious! I was glad she called. It made me feel like I was home... so I went back to sleep... PHONE WOKE ME UP... talked about home... went back to sleep... Finally at 10am when Jeremy's sister called I decided that I needed to get up. NO SLEEPING IN FOR ME! lol Jeremy called a few minutes later and told me to start getting ready so he could come and get me... I was gonna spend some time with him and his family before heading to work. Jeremy has been doing everything in his power to make sure I'm enjoying myself while I'm away. He's my favorite! lol

Once we arrived at his mom's house, everyone was getting ready to head to Jeremy's aunt and uncle's. Their ENTIRE FAMILY spends the night there on Christmas! That tradition is A LOT like one of mine back home... only everyone stays at my house on Christmas EVE and we wake up together on Christmas. Well anyway... I watched TV with his sisters and then I got a text from my mom!!!.... It was for Jeremy's mom!!! It said, " Show this to Jeremy's mom: Hello. I can't wait to meet you. Your son is the perfect gentleman and I know that it is because of our God in you. Thank you for being the host family for my baby. This is the first year she hasn't been with me for Christmas but it makes it easier knowing she is with a loving family. Thank you and Merry Christmas." I decided to read it to her because my phone is lame... little... and jacked up. I just knew I would be fine... and then I choked up! LOL... It hit me guys... I WANTED TO BE WITH MY MOMMY! :( ugh!! I tried to hide how I really felt but his mom knew that I was close to tears. THANK GOD SHE DIDN'T TRY TO HUG ME!... It would have been OVER! I managed to hold back the tears... She and his step dad talked to me and helped me feel better about not being at home! So... I say all of this to say: I'm not home for the holidays... it sucks a little... but I'm making it! Thank God for Jeremy and his family!

I'm at work now... I've fallen asleep twice... SO READY FOR MY SHIFT TO BE OVER WITH! Jeremy drove me to work today... Let's hope he's on time picking me up!!!!

::...Oh yea.. Wanna know what I got for Christmas so far?!....::

On the 23rd, Jeremy and I went to Memphis to see my family. We have a few traditions leading up to Christmas. On the 23rd, we bake cookies with the kids. Since I was off I decided to go and asked if Jeremy wanted to tag along and meet everyone! I won't make this long... JEREMY WAS A HIT, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!!!! My family LOVED HIM! They all thought he was a perfect gentleman. He fit right in with my family... They are all LOUD and like to embarrass you with lame stories!... yep... They tried to embarrass me with a story or two... but they didn't win! I was not embarrassed...! They did tell some good ones though! lol Jeremy didn't appear shy at all! He talked with everyone... spoke in the circle before we said grace... He made me proud!... I finally have the approval of my family... so we're good! ;)

::....Ok, i had to mention that to tell this part....::

As part of my Christmas gift, my aunt gave me a bowl of her Shrimp N GRITS!. On Christmas morning we eat breakfast together... She always makes shrimp n grits for me.... I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH! Since she knew I wasn't going to be home, she made me some to take back with me!!! GOTTA LOVE MY FAM! She also bought me a leopard snuggie... THAT I LOVE!!!

My bud, Mel Watkins bought me the coolest talking Japanese watch!! LOL... So random... so green... SO PERFECT!

My mom, Sabrina Washy bought me a cool, green sweater that coincidentally matched my watch, an orange graphic tee that says " i only date nerds", a JUNO DVD, and a magazine with MERYL STREEP on the cover!!! Yep... my mom's the bomb.

Jeremy is bringing my gift after work... I'll have to tell you that later. I heard from several people that I'm getting three gifts! can't wait! ;)

Ok... there are more gifts... but I'm tired of typing. I think I'm about to go back to sleep... This shift is going by slow as crap!!! I'm outtie!!!!

Until next time,

P-ce!

Random/Schmandom!!!

Hey Guys! I saw "Julie & Julia" last night at my friend's house. Although I fell asleep for a minute, it was actually a good movie. It had its slow moments, but I really connected with it. Julia Child loved to eat... so therefore learned how to cook!! I LOVE to eat... but I can't cook! HA! Julie Powell was just an ordinary girl who wanted more out of life! So yea... Julie blogs in the movie (something I've grown to love, myself) to keep her mind off of her sucky life. She's a huge fan of Julia Child and loves to cook so she decides to cook 524 recipes in 365 days and blog about the experience!!!! She also blogs about the ups and downs of that year as well! I loved it... AND it was a true story! :) I'm sure I'll watch it again to see what I missed in the time I dozed off. Meryl Streep (a new favorite actress of mine) plays Julia and Amy Adams plays Julie. It's a movie that will make you laugh and want to eat!!! YOU SHOULD GO SEE IT!!... Here's a trailer:

Anyway... I said all of that to say that the movie inspired me in a way... I want my blogs to be about more than just my random life! lol... I gotta find something that I love doing that will be more interesting to read!... But until then... Here's a little about me:

HANG-UP/SCHMANG-UP

I've been told by several family members and friends that I have way too many hang ups... lol I don't think so!!!... I'm a bit strange... but i don't think I have hang ups! lol What do you think?!

1.) I don't sleep well without my sleeping bag!!! lol... What?! It keeps me warm!

2.) I have a slight foot phobia! If you want to be my friend, keep your feet as far away from me as possible! :) Easy, right?!

3.) I don't like fruit... I don't like salad... BUT I LOOOOVEEEE VEGETABLES! :) Ok... the only fruit I can tolerate are pineapples in a can!

4.) I HATE when people bite their silverware when eating their food! It makes my flesh crawl!!! The thought of it makes me cringe.

5.) I HATE when people smack their food!!! It's sooo gross!!! My boyfriend has that BAD!!

6.) I HATE being tickled!! It's NOT funny!!! It makes me very angry! lol... So ok... wait... If you want to be my friend, keep your feet away from me and don't tickle me! EASY, RIGHT?!

7.) I can't cook.. AT ALL!! I believe that is a gift from God! I really do... I can't even make KOOL-AID!!! :) I'm just not cut out for putting just the right amount in something to make it taste good!

8.) I probably shouldn't admit this, but I like dull pain! I find myself randomly popping myself with my hair ties and pinching myself! Pray, saints!

9.) I'm a huge kid!! I would much rather spend my day watching cartoons and playing with kids and their toys!

10.) I can only eat my hamburger with ketchup and cheese only!!!! All of the other stuff is just too much! Maybe that's why I wouldn't make a great cook!!

**Ok!!!! That's enough! I'll do more when I'm feeling really random again!!!!**

Have an awesome day!

Until next time,

P-ce!

ZZZZZzzzzzz....

"What a week!!!!!...," She says on Tuesday! lol

*I'm sleep typing right now... Yep... it exists*

For the last few days I've been going to bed late (1 or 2am) and waking up early! Monday morning I had to meet up with a friend and our schedules are so jacked that we can only do it early... before our day actually starts. lol... Today I received a phone call from one of the supervisors at my new job so that's why I'm up now!!..... WAIT... WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!!!

!!!!!!!NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!

STIX HAS A NEW JOB EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

PRAISE BRRRRREEAAAAKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

lol... I think I am the happiest person in the world right now. After being a server for almost two years... watching money come and go inconsistently... IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON!!!! My friends are happy for me but I can tell that they all are concerned that I'm making the right decision in taking this job! Well you see, my homie AJ has been working there ever since we met (I believe) and she has said a time or two that she isn't too happy about where she is... At least that's what we all get from it.... I completely understand. We all are never happy where we are until we're doing what we really want to do in life... especially at our age!... So.... I guess I can understand their concern... oh and the hours are pretty different than what I'm used to. I'm getting to all that now.... So yea.... I was offered the full time position, making pretty good money (it'll pay the billS for sure), and working a shift I desire to work... 3rd shift (Midnight-8am!) I think the shift is perfect because I hear it's a slow shift and I can use that time to study when I go back to school in January... or sleep... or talk on the phone!... anything EXCEPT being on my feet for several hours at a time serving people who are hard to please!!!! YEESSSS, GOD!!! FOR THAT ALONE I THANK YOU!!! SHOOT!!!!! LOL

The supervisors are doing everything they can to get me on the schedule next week.... I was JUST hired last Friday!!! GOD IS GOOD!... definitely a Miraculous Manifestation!!!!!

ZZZZZzzzzzz

I was writing this blog to stay awake while I waited on the girl who called me earlier to call me back for one last little detail before she begins my background check!!! That has been done and NOW I'm going back to sleep for another hour... gotta be at work at 11am! Have an awesome week, guys! :)

Until next time,

P-ce!

Home for the Holidays!!!!

Before I begin... I can't believe it's already December!!! Like... Christmas is almost here!!! I LOVE Christmas!! The cold weather... the heat... seeing every body's Christmas decorations!!! It makes me feel like a kid again!.. I think I believe in Santa Claus around this time too!! LOL... It's something about this season... It makes me forget about how jacked up my life is and I just get HAPPY!!! IDK... lol... it's weird!

So yea... Thanksgiving!

I went home for Thanksgiving!... and had sooooo much fun!!! OMG! I must say though... when I first got to Memphis I was ready to leave! My mom was in the worst mood of all time... and it didn't help that I was grumpy and not in the mood for foolishness either! lol... My mom and I are a lot a like... so being around each other when we BOTH are in a bad mood is not cute... AT ALL!!! I made it in at like 9 or 10... and there was still a lot to be done before Thursday. It was my mom's bright idea to have everyone over our house for Thanksgiving!!! I hate when that happens because we end up being left with all the work when everyone leaves! You would think the family would want to help out just a little before they leave... GEEZ! AND... My mom likes to play Martha Stewart when she hosts events so we had a lot of last minute decorations to put up... We were up until about 1am.... Everything looked great though!!!

"The Thanksgiving Blues"

Thanksgiving day was a lot better! We all woke up in high spirits... laughing at each other and getting ourselves ready for our company! We were supposed to eat at 2pm... We didn't eat until like 4pm! Of course I wasn't too happy about that. My step dad didn't want to start until his grandmother arrived. She is pretty old, 88 to be exact, and he has this weird fear that she won't see many more Thanksgivings... So I kind of understood why we waited... It didn't change the fact that we all were STARVING!!!! My mom made me bring my guitar home so my cousin Derek and I did our best to entertain everyone while we waited! It was fun!... Derek showed out! He's been playing for like 8 years! Oh and we wrote a song called "The Thanksgiving Blues"!!! It ended up being the bomb.com! We all put in our own little verses about how hungry we were while my cousin played a few blues progressions on my guitar... MY GRANDMOTHER even got in on it! lol... My aunt recorded the whole thing, so I'll put it up when she emails it to me! Now THAT was the highlight of my weekend! We had a blast!

We tried a new tradition this year... We all sat around one HUGE table and ate. We usually sit all over the place... The men are usually somewhere near a TV... the women are usually in the kitchen/dining room area.... and the kids are usually around a table in my brother's room. I enjoyed the new way the best. We all sat around listening to each other's conversations... learning a lot from each other... both young and old! It was like a movie! We all were super happy and enjoying each other's company. I love my family! I don't get to see them as often as I would like.... it was great seeing everybody all at once!!!

WE HAD SOOOO MUCH FOOD! I don't even feel like typing it all! IT WAS ALL AMAZING!!!!!! And we had so much leftover! I'm soooo over turkey and dressing right about now! lol... Anyway... Thanksgiving was great! It ended way too soon though! :(...

I spent the rest of my "mini-vacation" at the house!... I didn't do much at all and it felt GREAT! I was supposed to go to a house party for my friends' birthday... I somehow got lost and ended up going back home! lol... I kind of didn't want to go anyway... so I wasn't too messed up about it. I ended up chillin' with my family... watching bootleg (*in the voice of Sabrina**..."MEMPHISSSSSS") DVDs and eating the entire time I was home! GOOD TIMES, FOLKS... GOOD TIMES! I talked to my friends back in Antioch a time or two... It sounds like they had a blast while I was away. I was happy to hear that considering that they all wanted to be home with their families as well!!! I missed them a lot though!

It is what it is...

I'm back in Antioch... in the BEST MOOD EVER!!! Pretty weird, right?! I usually come back from Memphis in the WORST MOOD EVER... hating my life... and contemplating moving back!... Not this time!!! IDK why!... umm... I DO know that I'm at a point where I'm done trying to figure out why my life sucks or why I'm not moving forward. My life IS WHAT IT IS... and I KNOW it won't be like this forever... So I might as well roll with the punches and "take life as it comes!"

In other news...

I haven't seen my boyfriend in NINE DAYS!!!... NINE WHOLE FREAKIN' DAYS!!! I MISS HIM SOOO MUCH! Yea, yea we talk on the phone every day.. but it's not enough. It looks like I won't be seeing him until Friday. :( We both work all day so we usually don't see each other until the weekends. SUCKS... but hey.. IT IS WHAT IT IS! This guy at work had on the same cologne that Jeremy wears and I almost couldn't take it. lol I want to see him... UGH!

Anyway... I need to shower... I smell like Olive Garden.

Until next time,

P-cE!

lol!!! Ok... I'm fine! :)

"Be strong in the Lord. Never give up hope. You're gonna do great things. I already know. God's got His hands on you. So, don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget. But don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray.... Thank God for each day. His love will find a way. These are the words I would say." - Sidewalk Prophets

God DOES freakin' love me!!!!

I feel so much better, guys!!! God is the bomb!! A day or two after my last depressing blog I woke up with that song, "These are the words I would say" on my mind. I didn't know the name of the song at the time and I didn't know the first two lines. All I could sing was "You're gonna do great things. I already know... These are the words I would say." It bothered me that I couldn't remember that, but I wasn't messed up about it... I went about my day! As I was driving to work the song came on. I really had the opportunity to listen to the sing and it changed my life. That guy was straight up singing to me, encouraging me to look to God... don't give up... You're great... You WILL do great things! I needed that! So after getting the first line of the song I realized it was in the bible... somewhere! I did my research and found out it was Ephesians 6:10. Of course I decided to read the whole passage. Ephesians 6:10-20 is titled in my bible "The Armor of God." It was just what I needed. After reading it I thought... "Wow, God DOES freakin' love me!" He was there for me even though I had given up. He gave me a song that LITERALLY CHANGED MY WAY OF THINKING! It helped me think positively even though I didn't want to... because at the end of the day... "HIS LOVE WILL FIND A WAY!"... God has everything worked out! I just have to live my life... Thank Him for each day... and Have faith that THIS WON'T BE MY LIFE FOREVER! :) Another thing this song did was, as you can see, force me to read the bible again. I realized that when I stopped reading... I gave up on God... I wasn't meditating on the Word... How can I expect to get help... if I don't read!! lol Wow... anyway... So you guys KNOW I had to learn how to play this song! I play and sing it every now and then to keep me motivated... to keep my spirit lifted! I love that song. I need to find a way to contact those guys and thank them for being obedient and writing such a RIGHT NOW song!

Wow... it doesn't stop, huh?!

Church was the bomb Sunday.... and again SO FOR ME!! Our bishop preached on "Our heart's Song." I felt so convicted that entire sermon. He talked about how we have to stop singing these sad songs when people ask what's going on with us. We have to stop being so negative and praise God anyway! I kept thinking... "Wow... God and PEOPLE are probably so tired of me and my heart's sad, depressing song!" After the sermon was over a lady named Sister Augustine came up and told us what God had put on her heart. She said that she could see women jumping out of a ship... basically giving up. Something our first lady mentioned earlier triggered this vision. I then saw myself jumping off of the ship. She said that's exactly what the devil wants. He wants us to be so fed up that we give up... He wants to keep us from looking to Jesus or even saying Jesus when we don't know what else to do. I immediately got mad. That's exactly what I did. I gave up... instead of looking to God... I jumped off of the freakin' ship! HOW STUPID! lol I cried and took my butt right up to that altar.. I don't know what everyone was saying at that point. I talked to God... asked for forgiveness... declared some things... and sang a NEW song to Him! :)

So guess what guys... NO MORE SAD BLOGS! I can't afford to keep hurting God like that! He's been way too good. I'm done complaining! lol... Another song just came to mind... I'll leave it with you!!!

"Count it all joy and always remember.... Life will get better. It's gonna get better. No matter the weapon, it will not prosper. Things will get better. It's gonna get better!" -Kirk Franklin

Again... that's in the bible. James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (KJV) Read the whole chapter... Life changing! ...

Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,'Says the LORD."(NKJV)

Anyway, I'm about to do my hair and watch a movie!!!!!!

Until next time,

P-CE!!!

"JESUS.... TAKE THE FREAKIN' WHEEL!!! "

HELP!!!!

I don't know what the HECK is wrong with me!!! I'm sooo not myself these days! Ever since I came back from Memphis, I've been in this funk that I can't explain. All I want to do is sleep...sleep... and sleep some more!!! I've tried lifting my spirits... doing more to keep my mind off of where I am in life... but it's not working!... Wait... I just got a revelation! There's my problem... I'm doing everything in my OWN STRENGTH!!! I haven't talked to God about it... I'm not spending enough time with Him.... I just gotta step my game up... and FOCUS!!!! I'm depressed because I've allowed myself to be... I don't have to be this way... I can easily look to God and allow Him to handle it... but it doesn't seem as easy as it used to... WHAT THE HECK?!... Ugh!.. let me stop before you guys think I'm crazy... lol... Reading back over it... I'm beginning to think I'm crazy!

UPDATE...

What else is new with me other than being depressed?! hmm... lol NOTHING!!! Oh... I finished New Moon last week... or was it two weeks ago!?... IDK... but I'm done! It was sooo the bomb! I couldn't put it down... I read 6 chapters of the third book at my friends house last week... It seems like it's gonna be a good one as well... I don't think I'm going to read anymore for awhile though... I have two reasons... 1.) I want to see New Moon first... that way... I can remember what was in the book and compare the two... Kind of like what I did after I read Twilight... and 2.) I need to put away all distractions and focus on more important things... like my relationship with God! I'm trippin, man! 4real... I can only imagine how God must feel right now?!...

Jeremy and I are doing great... I had dinner with him and his family at his mom's house last night. I really enjoyed my time with them. They are really nice. His mom CAN COOK TOO, dude!!! After dinner we watched, "Imagine that"... you know... the movie with Eddie Murphy and this adorable little girl! It was pretty good... After everyone went to bed, Jeremy and I chilled for awhile. I realized in that time how much I love him! (oops... did I just say that?!) It seems a little early to say that... but that is honestly how I feel about him. I may even sound crazy... but I don't care. Jeremy is like no other guy I've dated... I used to say that I've been in love before. Now that I'm with Jeremy I'm beginning to question if I even loved the other guy! Weird! This feeling is wayyy different than what I felt then. This relationship has changed me! I trust this guy completely... I share things with him that I wouldn't dare share with many people!... I feel safe when I'm with him... I'm pretty sure I've handed him my heart and trust that he will do no harm to it! This is sooo not like me!!!!

Last night we had a conversation about these girls at our church who are beginning to show interest in him. At first, I was scared... scared that I would lose him... scared that he would find the girls more attractive... more mature! I've always felt that I wasn't good enough for him! After talking about it, I'm a lot more confident in myself and our relationship. I don't think I ever grasped how much he cares for and adores me before that conversation. Communication is key in our relationship... Because we are sooo transparent with each other we are able to be so free... in our thoughts... in our feelings! I don't have to worry... and if I do worry... I can just go to him and everything be cleared up right then!!!... He makes me happy!!!... even through my state of depression!!! :)

Anyway... that's enough... I'm out for now! :)

Until next time,

P-CE!

Another day, Another blog...

Yeessss, weekend!

I had a great weekend, guys!!! I was off from work... that's the bomb all by itself! lol... but like I said in my last blog... even when I'm off, I'm doing something! I was invited to a sleepover on Friday night by a friend from church!... A sleepover?!.. but wait... How old are you?! Right! My thoughts exactly! I've been to more sleepovers this year than I've been in my entire life! lol I went to one a few months ago in June for Mel Watkin's birthday... being invited was just as weird then as it was when they invited me Friday! lol Don't get me wrong... I loved every bit of it... I just thought there was some kind of rule that you couldn't have sleepovers after you turned 12! lol... Oops... guess I was wrong! Anyway... The sleepover was the bomb!!! We had a great time. We ate... watched some wedding show on TLC... the girls painted their nails... and then we talked until God knows how long. I ended up falling asleep on Mel's lap... I couldn't take it anymore! lol I'm sure that was a bit much for Mel... she doesn't do "touch-y feel-y" all that well... Neither do I! I was dead tired and wasn't ready to retreat to the floor just yet. The convo was good from beginning to end!!... Oh yea... I was supposed to go to Jeremy's game that night... but his cousin THREATENED ME... and that was the end of those plans! lol... She didn't really threaten me... Jeremy was ok with me not going. I was a little sad at first because I was looking forward to seeing him... It all worked out in the end! He stopped by to see me for a few minutes after the game!!! ahhhh... He's the bomb...

Saturday...

We woke up and went to Cracker Barrel! I was looking forward to that because I LOVE CRACKER BARREL... and I was starving! Turns out... it was one of the worst dining experiences that I've experienced in awhile! :( That sucks... cuz I was sooo super excited about it! Our waiter was mad for God knows what and she had like 5 teeth in her mouth! Dude, it was enough to make you lose your appetite!... not me of course... 'cuz umm... well, I was hungry! I asked for a hot chocolate and a water with NO LEMON!... of course she brought a water WITH LEMON! I immediately deducted $1.00 from her tip! I ordered pancakes, turkey sausage, and hash brown casserole!... Of course I didn't get turkey sausage... Praise THE LORD I'm not allergic to beef! I deducted another $1.50 from her tip!... She was really messing up! She was very rude and didn't come and check on us... Her tip was down to a WHOPPING $.50!... Yep guys... I was mad! I understand that people have bad days... but that kind of goes out the door when you get to work... I mean really... That's how she makes her money! Maybe I was just being hard because I serve and I don't allow my bad days to interfere with me making money! Ok... so when I got the check I realized that she DID ring in a turkey sausage... it was the kitchen's mistake! So... She got her $1.50 back and was reward $2.00 for her SUCKY SERVICE! lol... Oops... I was talking about my GREAT weekend!... didn't mean to get carried away! HA!

So after that... I hung out with Mel Watkins and her godson... who I absolutely adore! He's so cute... I actually HAD plans to marry him! Oh and Melissa's a stylist, remember?! So of course we went to the mall and talked about fashion... my style... and how I want to change it up a little! She gave me some great advice and we went on to talking about the ball that I'm going to in December... She's gonna help me look fab for that event! AHHHH!!! Gotta love my friends. Jeremy and I had plans to go out so I made my way home so I could get ready for that...

N.Y. Meets ZOMBIE LAND

Jeremy took me to a pizza place in Mt. Juliet called NY NY Pizza ! I think it was once called NYPD Pizza! It was a really cool spot! They have great pizza too!!! I enjoyed it. I want to go back...like soon. We still had time before our movie so we went across the street to Lifeway Christian Store! I LOVE THAT STORE! I usually leave there super broke because it's so expensive... but it's worth every penny! I promise! The place was closed and we walked our butts right in there not knowing... lol... They were nice enough to let us look around after letting us know that they were closed. We met a really cool guy that worked there named BJ! He talked to us as we shopped! Jeremy ended up getting a really cool shirt and he bought the Francesca Battestelli cd for me!!... which is the bomb.com by the way... amazing artist! After leaving there we went to the movies to see Zombieland. I have to be honest! I didn't think I would like the movie. I'm not a zombie movie type of girl... but I actually enjoyed it. It was pretty darn hilarious! I do recommend seeing it if you like a good comedy movie every now and then. After the movie, we went back to his place and I headed home. I always enjoy my time with him.... and I always hate when we part ways. :(

Munched on Emotional M&M's

Sunday's service was great. A few blogs ago I told you that our bishop has been speaking on Miraculous Manifestations also known as M&M's... He broke it down in like 4 or five parts... Sunday he spoke on emotional M&M's! He feed us real good and I'm sure lives were changed by his message... I know I was changed! :)

Later that day... Me, Sabrina, Mel and her godson, J went to the movies to see "Where the wild things are"... Umm... I was a tad bit disappointed.... I fell asleep twice! Not good! lol... I don't remember the book all that well but from what my friends said it was pretty much the same as the book. The movie was deep... a little too deep for kids, in my opinion... and good in theory... but it was just a little boring to me! That's just me though! You may enjoy it... who knows!...

We went to Pei Wei... my very first time going... THE BOMB!... and then I headed home to chill! Jeremy came over later and we watched a movie! Good times, folks!!!

Anyway... I've shared enough. I'm gonna try and enjoy the rest of my day before I head to work later.

Until next time,

P-CE!

B.U.S.Y.!!!!!

.... DISTRACTED!!!!

I've been soooo busy lately!... I feel like I don't get enough rest! I work like crazy and when I'm off... I'm doing something!!!!!! I remember when I used to chill on my off days... I don't know what that is anymore. I have to learn to say no every now and then. I'm involved a lot more in my organization and at my church... that's taking up a lot of my time!!! I love both my organization and doing stuff at my church... I just have to learn to manage my time... and say no to people when I want to stay home and chill! It's all good though... all of that will change when I go back to school in January!!!! Speaking of school....

I'm sooo excited!... I'm ready to be done, man! I know it's going to be crazy hard... Studying exercise science is not easy...AT ALL!!! But I love it! I love music more... but whatever! Right now... training and keeping people healthy is what I know will pay the bills... We'll see what music will do for me at a later date! :)

TWILIGHT!!!!!

Yep... I somehow gave in and decided to read the Twilight series!!!! I was sooo against it at first! lol... I had become so super spiritual that I deemed it the "devil's series"! lol LORD HELP US ALL!!! After watching the movie and talking to my little sister, Kennedi, about it I realized that it wasn't as bad as I made it seem. It's more of a love story than anything. Yep... it's about vampires... SO WHAT!!! If I wanted to be that religious about it then I would have to watch TBN, GodTV, and read spiritual books all the time!!! AND WHERE'S THE FUN IN THAT!!! lol...To be honest though, I HAVE been reading my bible more! I started feeling guilty for all the time I was putting into reading Twilight!... So now... I'm pleased... God is pleased... EVERY BODY'S HAPPY! lol jk...

Anyway I finished the first book, Twilight, the other night!!! It was the bomb.com! Soooo much better than the movie! I plan to watch the movie again just to compare the two while the book is still fresh in my memory! I started the second book, New Moon, at Books-A-Million on my break today! lol I left the book in my room and couldn't wait until after work to read it... So I chilled for an hour in the bookstore! It's sooo good so far! I didn't want to put it down! That Stephanie girl is an amazing writer!!! I'll keep you guys updated on that one... I can't wait to see New Moon now!!!!!

J -N- J

Someone asks me about Jeremy and I just about every day! I didn't think people would be so interested in our relationship. That's pretty cool... I guess. I've decided to keep you guys and my unofficial followers back home updated as well. It won't be super detailed because that's just not how I roll... but I'll mention us every now and then!... Jeremy and I are doing great. We are getting to know each other more and more every day. We don't get to see each other as often as we would like because we both work all the time.... that kinda sucks!... We try to make up for it by texting and talking on the phone as much as we can. I still miss him a lot though! He plays basketball for the church now!... so I'm guaranteed to see him on Fridays!... Umm... My friends love him... and he seems to love them!!! I LOVE THAT!!! He and my friends are very important to me and I want them to be comfortable with each other... You know, talk to each other when I'm not around... that kind of thing. That seems to be the case with them... which is the bomb! I can't wait for my family to meet him! They are gonna love him!...

That's a pic of him... Cute, right?! People seem to think we look alike?!... I guess I see it.... :/

Moving right along....

Sophie Penne

I haven't been playing my guitar as much as I used to! :( I hate it... I'm sooo tired when I get home that I don't feel like it! Not good!!! My getaway church has been offering free lessons for the last few months. I went once and loved it! I met some new people who love God and are amazing at the guitar! I wish I could go more but they have classes on Wednesdays... and that's the day that I meet with MSK! :( Sucks... but I've made plans to start individual lessons next month. I want to let go of the capo! I hate I even bought that thing! I feel like I've limited myself... Oh well... that will change soon. My friends at work have already been showing me some stuff to work on at home... Gotta love Nashville!... everybody is into music here!!! Anyway... I'm out... I'm either about to do my hair... or read New Moon!

Until next time,

P-CE!!!!

Just thinking...

HHHEEEYYYY!!!!

This morning when I was headed to work, the most random scripture came to mind. 1Corinthians 13:11-When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.(NIV)... Random right?!... My thoughts exactly!!!

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are some childish ways I want to hold on to!!! Children are soooooo innocent... I think they understand what it means to have an intimate relationship with God better than we do! Sabrina told me a story on Sunday about a little girl she kept over the weekend. As the girl was getting ready for bed, she wanted to say her prayers! Her prayer was so innocent... so honest... so pure! Not only did she thank God for an awesome day, for her friends, and family... she also remembered to pray FOR GOD!!!! Who does that?! Who actually thinks enough of God to wish Him a great day! lol... It may sound a bit weird... but I got a revelation from that!!!! We're.... ok, I'll speak for myself... I'm guilty of not praying for or honoring Him by thinking about Him... about how my actions may affect how He feels? I just don't think about Him enough... I'm so busy thinking about myself and how I'm gonna make it!!! SELFISH!!!

Another example... Sunday I went to another church!!!! IT WAS SOOO AMAZING! I plan to attend that church randomly when I just want to get away from everybody! I loved it.. Before service they have a soaking! This soaking took place in a small room of the church. In there was a female singer who played the keyboard, a guitar player, and someone else... can't remember what that person was doing. I know there were three people... Anyway... People go in that room and worship God with the worship leaders! The music was sooo soft and sweet! When I walked in there... I PROMISE YOU... the presence of God was sooo heavy! It even smelled different in there! My eyes teared up immediately! It was amazing... I found a seat and begin to just reflect on God's goodness!... As I worshipped, I could hear a little voice singing, "JESSSUUUSS, JEESSSUSSS, JEESSSUSSSS!" I opened my eyes and there was a 5 year old BLACK girl singing a song to God with her hands lifted up!!! I WAS SHOCKED! I loved it! Kids get it! It wasn't something all extra deep!... She was singing her own song to Jesus! THAT'S PURE WORSHIP!!! I've been spending a lot of time with God lately and I asked Him to show me how to worship! I wanted to forget what I had seen and learn FROM GOD what worship was!... and he showed me!!!... through that little girl! One day I was playing my guitar and God said, "There is a special anointing in simple worship!" I believe that! It's not fake... it's not about what you say... it's about what HE CAN SEE IN YOUR HEART!!! I'm getting it God!!!

Another example- I've been listening to a lot of different worship singers lately. One of them being Jason Upton! He is the bomb!!!! He has a song on his album, "Beautiful People" called "Hey Jesus." This is a song that he wrote based off of some questions his little boy, Samuel had for Jesus!!! Again... so innocent, so honest... so pure!!! Here are some of the questions he asked:

Hey Jesus

Are you still on the cross or are you feeling better?

And if you're feeling better, will you come down and play with me?

... to the next to me place!!!!

Hey Jesus

When I wave at you, do you wave back?

When I'm feeling sad, are you sad too?

Children are sooo deep!!!... without being deep! lol... I know that doesn't make sense!!! But 4real... those questions were so deep to me! He just wanted to spend time with Jesus! He talked to Him like they were friends! How many adults do you know do that in the church? People are sooo "deep" in the church, dude! I can't take it! It's a show!!! lol... Why can't we just chill and be true with God?... He is our friend!!!! I'm done preaching to God... I want to TALK to Him!

So yea... I agree with that scripture... but in some ways I still wish I had that innocence!!! Growing up in the church kind of pushes that out of your heart! I've been praying that God give me back that innocence I once had! Kids understand worship! It's not about religion with them... They just love Jesus and want Him to play with them!!!! lol... I LOVE IT!!!! So I leave you with this...

How personal is your relationship with God?!

How intimate are you with Him?!

Do you have an honest/REAL relationship with Him?!

Until next time,

P-CE!!!!

OK... Ask me again!!!! :-)

What's new, Stix?!

Ok... Remember when I said that I was single until I tell you otherwise... WELL OTHERWISE HAS ARRIVED!!!! I know, i know... this was just 2 days ago! Well my friends, a lot can happen in two days!!!!! Everything has been the bomb!... nothing out of the ordinary. We've been talking about being together or whatever, but I really didn't expect it to happen this soon!!!!! I'M SO FREAKIN' HAPPY!!!!

Ok... So I've been with the youth all day. We went to an exhibit in Nashville today... It's called World Vision Experience: AIDS. THE BOMB!!!! We basically went on a tour in a church gym into the lives of kids who are battling AIDS in Africa! It brought me to tears! I hate how jacked up the world is!... it sucks, dude! It was definitely an eye opener! We all went on different tours and talked about it when we got to Brian and Rachel's (the son and daughter in law of the bishop and first lady) house. The kids all got something from it which was good... Anyway... We chilled, ate, and played games and then it was time to head back to the church...

... then it happened!

Jeremy had been texting me all night to see what I was doing. I knew he wanted to stop by Brian and Rachel's but he was with his brother and dad... which was awesome! He said he would meet me at the church and to tell him when I was headed that way... I thought it was really odd... but hey... I wanted to see him so I agreed to do as he asked... So yea... he met me there... We talked with the kids for awhile as we waited on their parents and then I made my way back to my car. I could tell he was up to something... I just couldn't figure out what it was! He told me to get in my car... push my seat back... close my eyes and keep my door open! I was scared... Jeremy plays a lot so I didn't know what to think when he asked me all of this... well I had a thought... but I won't go into all that! LOL... He walked away from the car and then I felt something huge on my lap... I opened my eyes and it was a hard guitar case!!!!.. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I'VE BEEN PLANNING TO BUY ONE!!! I just haven't had the extra money to get it!!!! I was so surprised!!!.. I didn't know what to say! I loved it! He told me to open it... and in my mind I'm thinking, "I know what a guitar case looks like, Jeremy!" lol... God is still working on me!!! Inside was a note that said, "Will you be my girlfriend?!... Yes (open)... No (that sucks)... Maybe (... in two minutes you'll check yes?)" I know... cute right?!... Of course I checked yes!!! The note on the inside was really sweet!!! It was perfect actually!!!!! I almost cried... I was fighting it so hard!!!!! No guy has ever made me this happy!!!... EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not even about the guitar case... THE BOY IS AWESOME... Straight up from the Lord!!! So of course... we hugged and talked and then we both left! I called my friends... my mom... and I just found out that he did the same! Well... he called and told his sister and then his mom called him... Not sure what his mom said but his sister was happy!!!! I love it, guys!!!! This is so different!!! It feels so different!!!!

Remember when I told you guys that I would start blogging about different things that God is doing in my life... WELL... this is definitely one of those... GOD IS REALLY DOING THINGS!!! And I'm excited about this one!!!!

"You're somebodies girlfriend... AND YOU'RE HAPPY ABOUT IT!!!!"- Melissa Watkins!!!! lol <-- my friends know!!! This is major!!!

Until next time,

P-CE!!!

What's new, Stix?!

NOTHING MUCH!!!!

I really don't have anything super, awesomely random to blog about tonight... I'm just blogging because I'm bored... took a nap... so I'm not going to sleep any time soon. My friends invited me over to watch Whitney's interviews on Oprah, but I've seen them already!!!!... and I wasn't in the mood to hang out... kind of just feel like chillin! I really need to do my hair so I'll probably do that... and Bro. Reggie gave me a few dvds that he wants me to watch and critique... so I'll probably watch those as I twist these things on my head!!!!!!

MY HAIR... AAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!

I'm soooo tired of my hair!!! I just want to cut 'em off and hand all 187 of them over to Locks of Love!!!! LOL... I'm sure they can't do anything with my locs!... but they should... HECK!!! I HAVE LOCKS!!! LIKE THE REAL DEAL... MAKE A LOC WIG OR SOMETHING!!! Ok... That's just unnecessarily retarded!!! I wouldn't do that... That's just gross! Back to my hair problem!!!!... I love my hair... I love to see it grow... Every phase of growth has been pretty darn cool... One month my hair is too short for a certain style... then I try it again a few months later and it's just the right length! It's cool... and it's growing like crazy... Well... here's the problem!!! I have wayyyyyy too much hair on my head!!!! and it's thick as crap... so you can only imagine how heavy it's getting. It's beginning to scare me... I don't want my hair line getting all jacked up because my hair is pulling it back!!! I think I'm going to try and wear it up more. It feels lighter... and I don't have to worry about it!... And then the freakin' maintenance!!! When I got locs, I was under the impression that I would just get up and go... and every month go and get it re twisted!!! Little did I know that this crazy recession was going to make its way known to America and steal all of my money! DUDE!!! I used to have a set appointment every month to get my hair done... now I'm stuck doing it myself! I just can't afford to throw $100 out right now!... as bad as I want to... So... my hair looks trashed every now and then because I'll go like 2 months before I do it again.. LOL... it sucks! Oh well... gotta get over that one!!... It's about that time to do them again!... I really want to wait, but... when your significant other tells you that it's about that time... LADIES, IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME!!! lol

Did I hear 'significant other'?!

Yea... you did!!!! I know, I know!!!... another boy, right?! WRONG!!!... This time I think God tossed me a man... MY MAN... THE ONE FOR ME! Oh goodness... I'm pretty sure I'll regret this in about two hours! I usually don't do this... not because I don't like people in my business... well that's sort of the reason... but another reason is because I have this fear that when I make it known to people then it's gonna end!!! It always happens to me... When I dated people in middle school... the moment I wrote my name -N- whoever the guy is.. like the next day we were no longer together! lol... I'm so serious! That still happens to me... I put a relationship on facebook ... like a few months later... BAM!!! We broke up!!! I write about a guy in my blog.... BAM!!!... We are no longer together!!!! LOL... But this one is different! I really believe this is the work of the Lord!!! This goes wayyyy beyond just writing names together or making it known on facebook!!! This time my friends... I think I found him!!!!

He is a member of the church that I attend. I've been at Born Again a little under a year and I had never, EVER seen him before... He's been a member like all of his life! I sat behind him randomly during a graduation ceremony at my church one Sunday. They were honoring those who graduated in the last year... something like that. He was one of those being honored! I didn't get a good look at his face... I saw his profile and I heard his voice! He was pretty funny... jokin' like the entire time! I remember thinking that he had the cutest little infant head! It looked so small with that graduation cap! I didn't think much else after that... That same night... or maybe the Sunday after that I went to a spot called Lovenoise with my friends. I saw him just as I was leaving out... I remembered him... I don't know how... but I did! And he was soo freakin' cute! His smile was adorable! We talked... but for some reason he and Anjelica seemed to be hitting it off! She's very outgoing and a bit flirtatious... it seemed that way at least... So I walked away so they could talk... it clearly didn't seem like he was interested in me! lol... which was fine!! To make this story short... He was just as interested in me as I was in him! He saw me way before I saw him! So now... months later things are going really well... close to perfect actually!!!!

I try not to talk about him to my friends so much because I don't want to be a pain!... God knows I can talk about him all day! I tend to call my mentor about him because she is sooo mushy and she loves it! lol... She's been very helpful in this relationship too!!! THE BOMB!... I used to call my friend Renee. She's mushy too!... She's sooo extra though... She starts crying and crap! lol I can't take all that! lol She has to ask in order for me to tell her now!!!... lol That's my girl though... Ride or freakin' die!!!! Anyway...

I met his mom today! She is sooo sweet and funny! She wants me to come over and hang out with her some time! I'm actually looking forward to it! She seems very nice. OMG... This is so not like me! We are taking things really slow... Yea... we hang out... talk on the phone and text all day, every day... but there's still so much to learn... still so much to consider! So I'm single until I tell you otherwise!!! He's an awesome friend!... if this goes where we both think it's going...friendship is very important!

HE'S THE BOMB, DUDE!!! THE FREAKIN' BOMB!! He's a gentleman, he loves God, He is very sweet.... funny, smart as crap, and LIKES ME A LOT! The way he looks at me makes me... ughhhh, i don't want to say it... melt!!! LOL... There is so much love in his eyes! It used to make me very uncomfortable because I'm not mushy!!! I wanted to say, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!?!? STOOOOOPPP IT!!!!" lol... I don't feel that way at all anymore! I like it now! lol... I won't go into details of what my thoughts are now, but basically he can look at me whenever and for however long he wants!!! LOL... GOD! You are funny!!! This has to be God, y'all!!!... I'm sooo not like this! My best friend Sequoia and I used to talk about love all the time... we both want to experience the real deal sooo bad!!!... what God wants for us all! I always complained about how LAME mushiness is... and how I'll never be that way!... which is weird because I wanted love... but didn't want to be mushy! How is that possible?! lol I was so confused! Anyway... Her response was that when you've found the right one those things will just come naturally... You'll want to be mushy... You'll want to hold his hand, look into his eyes all the time!!!... You'll even want to submit to him!... which I didn't think was possible because I'm so independent and don't want a man telling me anything! SHE WAS SO RIGHT!!!!... I'm so different now! I don't submit to him.. because he's not my husband! lol... but I can see myself easily doing just that! Anyway... I didn't mean to do this... I really didn't!!!! oops!! I've said way too much... UGH!!!... see what I mean! I can talk about him all day!!! lol...

I guess I had something interesting and random to talk about after all!!!

I need to start on this head of mine.. ooooo... one more thing! I went to Sonic not too long ago and bought another Route 44 Cherry Lemonade Slush!!! It's official... I'M ADDICTED!!!! lol Try it for yourself!!!! You're gonna fall in love!!!! Ok... I'm out!!!

Until next time,

P-ce!!!!!

Oh wait... I forgot to tell you guys his name... JEREMY!!!! JEREMY -N- JESSICA!!!! CUTE RIGHT?! LOL

But the greatest of these is....

LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My weekend has been THE BOMB.COM!!! (as AJ would say!) I did a few new things this weekend! I actually had a lot of fun!!! I was off the entire weekend.. only because I worked like a Hebrew slave all week... with not much to show for it!!! Still praying that other job comes through... Are you praying?!

Anyway, I feel refreshed... lol I tried to find another word but that's exactly how I feel. I need to have more weekends like this!

MY SISTER'S KEEPER

I was able to bond with new and old girls from the organization that I am in, MSK! Have I told you about this organization? Well, it's a christian organization for women that I joined about 2 years ago. It's located at my church as a community chapter and there are two collegiate chapters. I'm a member of the collegiate chapter at MTSU. I joined the organization so that I could have accountability, a support system, and be surrounded by women who all love the Lord and want to make a difference in the lives of others. :)

My sisters are the bomb!! Friday night I worked a double... I decided at the last minute... that I was gonna stay with one of my MSK sisters, Cris that night. I ended up staying with another, Lola... we caught up and had a great time. It was great chillin' with her. We literally talked until we fell asleep... at least I think that's how it happened. I remember falling asleep... I hope she wasn't still talking. LOL...

Saturday we had a business retreat! OMG! I loved it... We did a lot of activities to get to know each other... some were fun... some brought us close to tears! It was great. Our advisors brought us the Word in their own way. It was great. We learned about what it means to be sisters... how to have each others back!!!... HOW TO LOVE EACH OTHER... which I know we already do! I feel so close to them! I'm excited about this year. We are gonna minister more on campus... which is why we're there... that's exciting! I can't wait! I LOVE THE LORD... and yall know I'll do everything in my power to help others get to KNOW Him too! UGGGHHH.... I LOVE YOU JESUS!!! lol... STOP IT!... ok! I had plans to go home Saturday night... but I was way too tired so I stayed at Cris' house. We had an opportunity to catch up as well... I LOVE THAT GIRL!!! Let me tell you! She has the hardest exterior ... but she is SOOO SWEET! That's my girl... my lil sis...

FAMILY REUNION!!!

Ok... So today started off so wrong! I woke up super late... like 7:05 and I had to be at church at 8:30!!! I WAS STILL IN MURFREESBORO!!!!! Not good. I should have been out of there at 6:45! My butt should have gone home last night. Oh well... I got to church at like 8:45 and had not missed a thing! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Today my church went out into the community to preach the Word of God to those who may not want to hear it, who can't get to church... whatever the reason... THEY WERE GONNA HEAR THE WORD TODAY! Ha... I love it! I didn't get the opportunity to go out because it was my Sunday to work children's church. You all know that I LOVE KIDS so I wasn't hurt at all about not going out with them. Our kids LOVE God... I love it... don't get me wrong... they are a bit wild... but they KNOW GOD... AND THEY KNOW WHAT HIS WORD SAYS! They will correct you in a hot minute if you are not careful. I love them! I thought I was helping out... for the past few months that's all I've been doing. Well... I was supposed to teach this Sunday... I had no clue. Ms Cynthia mailed out our outlines last month... for some reason I didn't get mine... So I had to read mine during Praise and Worship and figure out how to teach it to 7-12 year olds in a way they would understand what I was saying. Thank God it was easy. My lesson was on LOVE!!!! How ironic!!! I've been surrounded by LOVE all weekend!... It was gonna be easy. In the outline they gave me the scripture and a way to explain it to them... WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET KIDS TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING THAN WITH MONEY?! lol... They were all ears. I won't go into all the details but the scripture was 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." The kids seemed to enjoy the lesson... and when asked questions at the end... they could answer them!!! YESSS THEY LISTENED!! Good... can't wait to do it again!!!

We had a picnic after everyone returned from doing the mission work! We all ate, chilled, laughed... HAD A GOOD TIME! It felt a lot like a family reunion! I could literally FEEL/SEE THE LOVE!!! I loved it! I met a lot of new people and hung out with my buddies! I danced with my new little brothers and sisters and chilled with some of the older members. Those are my folks! LOL...

Have you guys ever heard of the Jerk?! It's the weird dance that looks like a backwards skip!!! HARD AS CRAP!!!... well to me anyway! I know I looked a hot mess, but I tried!... and I'm gonna keep trying until I get it!...AND I WILL GET IT! My little brother Zack was really trying to teach me! He was so sweet and patient! I think he was like 17... IDK!

Anyway, I ended up staying until the end! I was soooo tired afterwards... but it was worth it!!! I played with the kids, talked to a few of them... I had a ball! I wish we could do stuff like that more often!!! OH, AND IT WAS HOT!!! I was craving a route44 CHERRY LEMONADE SLUSH like the entire time!... When it was over... you better believe I stopped by Sonic. I got Jeremy one too!!!... poor thing looked like he was about to die! LOL...

SOOOOO....

That was my weekend!!!!! THE BOMB... too bad Monday is only 5 hours away!!! OH WELL... time to do it all over again! I wonder what I'll be doing next weekend??!?!?

Here's the jerk... so it's only in the very beginning, but the choreo to this song is SICK!!! Aj... we have a dance to learn!!!! "TEACH ME HOW TO JERK!!!" <----- click HERE!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!! You'll enjoy it! I promise! :) I couldn't embed it like I wanted! :(

Until next time,

P-CE!!!

"One Step at a Time"

Yea, yea!... It's been forever, right?! I've been doing a lot... growing a lot... going through a lot... BUT I'M ALL GOOD NOW!!! lol I haven't forgotten about blogging... I even have a few drafts from where I started blogs but decided not to post them!!! I decided that those blogs weren't all that important! Blogging is fun... I only choose to blog about what I don't' mind you guys reading...no sense in posting about drama that I don't want you asking about, right?! Not looking for that type of attention!!!!!

BAD NEWS...

I decided to stop the Jamaica blogs!!! I've allowed too much time to go by to continue with them!!! Just know that my trip to Jamaica was life changing! I've grown in my relationship with God and I'm not afraid to BOLDLY PROCLAIM THAT I LOOOOVVEEE GOD!!!!... AND I WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO LOVE AND KNOW HIM TOO!

POST JAMAICA!!!!

Since Jamaica, I've been on assignment to get close to the youth at my church, show them the love of God, and teach them what it looks like to serve Him and still have fun!! I've been hanging out with our youth leader and he has included me in a lot of upcoming events! I'm so excited about that!

Last Sunday I went to Woodland Hills with our youth! Woodland Hills is a development center for young men. I think you have to have had 3 felonies to get in this place! THESE GUYS ARE HARDCORE!!!... I was blessed by them though!... Through their tough shell, I could see Jesus! Some of these boys were quoting scripture like it was nothing! You could tell they were raised by people who know God and tried to raise them to know Him too. I believe they listened... they know what's right... They just aren't surrounded by enough people to help them live this life! It's not easy... it's always easier when you have friends/loved ones who are trying just as hard as you to be more and more like Him!

Our ultimate goal was to let them know that we are no different from them. Our story may not be theirs but we all have done things that aren't pleasing to God... We wanted to show them something different... how to turn away from those things that got them there in the first place! I LOVED IT... I'm convinced that I was called to do mission work... This isn't as big as a trip to Jamaica but their souls are just as important! They received us and opened up in a way I didn't expect! It looks like we'll be going back more often. We will be teaching on Sunday mornings now! I think I will teach on 1st Sundays... still waiting on details! I was also asked to come back and help with the guitar lessons on Thursdays. I don't want to go by myself so one of the guys from the youth group, Taylor peoples, who is also a guitar player may go with me!!! I can see relationships forming with these guys already! They all are like little brothers and sisters to me... So anyway... that's where the growth has taken place! God is doing some things and I'm excited about it!

Speaking of God doing things...

God is showing out!!!... straight up... SHOWING OUT! I'm going back to school in the Spring! lol... I only shared this with my best friend because I hate telling people that I'm going to do something and it not go that way!... Things are looking up so I don't mind sharing. I knew I needed to go back... I just didn't know how I was gonna do it... or if it was time to do it! I received confirmation from some random guy in Jamaica on the beach!... I knew it was God... He didn't know anything about me yet he was really talking like he knew me... AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE... like a movie or something!... So yea... I knew I needed to make some changes in order to do this... This meant letting go of some things that I had grown to love!!!... like my DREAM CAR!... My baby... MY XTERRA!!! I love that truck so much! It's all I've ever wanted since I was like 13!... The note was crazy high though... and I wasn't getting the help that was promised to me when I first got it... After paying my car note,my phone bill,and my rent I had no money left to save for school!... Since my truck is the highest bill... it had to go!.... Yep guys... I don't have my truck anymore!!!!! :( GOD BLESSED ME WITH A 2005 DODGE NEON THOUGH!... She's cute too!!!... I haven't named her yet... but she'll get one soon... got to get to know her first! LOL! With my note being only $188, $264 less than what I was paying before, I'm sure to get back in school next semester! I'm excited... cuz one of my besties is going in the Spring too! It should be fun going back to school with her! SHE'S THE BOMB!

THAT'S NOT ALL!!!!!... Looks like I may have another job soon!!! Yep... something other than Olive Garden. I would be working from 10pm-7am... perfect time for going back to school... I think so anyway. I'm pretty sure I'll work both jobs until I go back to school in January. I'll give you more details WHEN I land the job! Pray with me guys...!!!!

Was there anything else I wanted to share with you guys?!... hmmmm

YYYEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!... GO AND BUY WHITNEY HOUSTON'S NEW CD, "I look to you!!!!" IT IS SOOOOO GOOD! I've been listening to it none stop for the last 3 days!!! GO COP THAT... IT'S A MUST HAVE FOR SURE!!!!

Ok... I have plans to chill with my homie, AJ! I guess I should start making my way out...

Until next time,
P-ce!

**Randomly blogging**

I'm not really sure why I'm blogging right now!... just felt like blogging!!!!

Random thing #1

I'm in Memphis right now... kind of wishing I were back in Nashville! No reason... no one has upset me or anything... I just love being in Nashville. I wish ALL OF MY FAMILY would just pack their stuff and move to Nashville. I miss my family... LIKE A LOT!! I hate being away from them... but I also hate Memphis!!!! Every time I come home I'm reminded of why I left!!...but being around my brothers and sisters always make it hard for me to leave!!! They are just so darn cute!!!

My little brother, Kameron and I were talking today! He's 6 now and in the 1st grade! He showed me some note that this girl named Kennedy gave him!!! She gave him her number and told him to call her if he wanted to play with her!!! LOL... WHAT THE HECK?! I asked him if he was gonna call her just to see what he would say... and he was like... "UMM... YEA!!!... I was like... "HOW ABOUT... NO!!!!" lol Dang... he's getting numbers already?!!! Don't get me wrong... the boy is cute... but that's ridiculously scary... No girl that age should know anything about giving a boy her number!!!! Were you guys doing that?!.... I WASN'T!!! lol... PRAY SAINTS!!!

Random thing#2

I've really been enjoying myself these last few days! I've been super happy for no reason!!! With all the crap that's going on in my life... I can't help but be happy!!! LOL... it doesn't make much sense!... but hey... When you serve a great God like mine... you are given this weird peace when one should be FREAKIN' OUT!!! You know... that peace that surpasses all understanding?! (Phillipians 4:7)

My friends are awesome!!! I can't say that enough! I love having friends who are just like me!!! FUNNY... LOVE FASHION... LOVE HANGING OUT... LOVE MUSIC... LOVE GOD!!!... that kind of thing!!! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!! And I love you ALL!!! Thanks for putting up with me!!!!... THE BOMB.COM i tell ya!!!!

I have a new "friend" in my life now and he has really been the bomb! I love being around him... aside from the mushiness of our friendship... he is soooo much fun!!!... a much needed addition in my life. For a second... I was getting bored with my routine!!! THANK GOD FOR "HIM"!!!! There is something about this one, guys!!!! I feel like I've known him forever!... I'm sooo comfortable around him! It doesn't make sense! He's super cool... and we have so much in common!!! It's scary how fast we've gotten close!... but it feels so right!... so normal! He is bringing out a side of me that I don't know all that well!!!! I'm different!!!... and I kind of like it! LOL... uh-oh!!!! What's happening to me?!!...

Random thing#3

I've been thinking about my uncle an awful lot lately!!! He died when I was about 12... Yea... yea... I should be soooo over his death, right?! LOL... I am!!!... I can't help but think what life would be like if he were still here though! I know we would have been close. We had a lot in common!!! He LOVED fashion... LOVED MUSIC... and LOVED GOD!!! I just found out that he was a licensed minister like last week!!! Wow... you would think that I would know that!... I just connected with one of his closest friends on facebook and she has been telling me things about him that I didn't know! Hearing about him and the type of person he was reminds me of myself! That is sooo cool! IDK how heaven will be exactly... I've heard so many different stories, but I hope I get to talk to him again! I wonder if that is possible... I need to go read Revelations or something and see if it says anything about what heaven is really like... or if you guys know... let me know!!!

Here's a youtube video of him!!!... Disclaimer: HE WAS EXTRA... lol... one of those singers that does a lot... but people love it!!!... AND YOU THINK I'M SKINNY?! HA!!! Everyone on my dad's side is that small... SEE... I'm not much of a stick after all... if you compare me to him anyway!

Random thing#4

Speaking of singing... did you guys know that I came from a family of singers?! Yep... everyone on my dad's side can sing... EXCEPT FOR ME!!! That's why I play the guitar! I had to do something to feel like I belong! When I got to Memphis today, my little sister Jamie and I had our own little jam session! I actually sang with her... we did that little song I wrote!!! It was fun... she can really sing! I think I almost cried... I didn't realize how good she was! WOW!... I really wish I could sing... Anyway... I found my aunt and granddad on youtube as well... Here are some clips if you want to check them out!

This is my aunt Niecy... Her name is Melvia "Chick" Rodgers!!!! OMG!! I FREAKIN' LOVE HER VOICE! I'M HER BIGGEST FAN! The bomb... She sings all over the world. She was in The Netherlands here... Check this one out... you'll like it!!

Another one... told you I was a fan!!! lol DUDE... SHE'S GREAT!!! I wish I could go on the road with her!...

Ok...This is my granddaddy... Rev. Melvin Rodgers!!!! lol He can sing too... He's a bit extra as well!!!... but the bomb nonetheless!!!!... THIS CLIP IS HILARIOUS!! FEEL FREE TO LAUGH... I DID!!! LOL

... See how little they are!!! JUST SKINNY!!!

ANYWAY... I've done enough!!!! I think I'm about to go to sleep!!!!

Until next time,

P-CE!!!!